We welcome the Government of Israel's decision to approve Prime
Minister Sharon's disengagement plan. As we have said, we view the
Prime Minister's plan to withdraw all settlements in Gaza and certain
settlements in the West Bank as a courageous and historic step. We
urge that practical preparatory work to implement the plan now proceed
as rapidly as possible in Israel. We also urge that the international
community, working through the Quartet and with the governments of
Egypt and Jordan, engage in rapid and continuing consultations with
Israel and the Palestinian Authority to help prepare for these
withdrawals and make them a successful step toward peace.